Winnie saw a tabbed copy of Feminist Fight Club on Audrey’s desk. “Are you reading that to inspire yourself?” she asked.

“No, I sent a copy to Colette, but now I’m copying specific pages for her to show her that ultimately, her approach isn’t going to help her. Studies show it’s better for women to work together—like that lecture Jae attended,” she said. Winnie’s boyfriend Jae had attended a lecture at his bank by two women executives who had explained how they had made a pact to support each other, and how their strategy was one method women could use to advance themselves. They had met for lunch, sharing their accomplishments, their concerns, and then touting each other’s achievements. “So, I’m writing that we should follow their strategy. Women don’t look good if they brag about themselves, but they do look good when they do it for their colleagues. It’s what you and I do, not on purpose, but because we’re friends. Feminist Fight Club recommends finding a boast buddy.”

“Jae was really impressed by that talk. But I can’t see Colette as anyone’s boast buddy. I don’t think Colette has any problem touting her own accomplishments.”

“No, she doesn’t. But that’s why I am sending this study. The research shows that women come off as arrogant and self-serving when they do.”

“She’s going to take her chances with that.”

“And it’s a depressing statistic. She should advocate for herself,” Audrey said. “Just not at a cost to me.”

“Maybe we should ask those women to stage an intervention with Colette,” Winnie said.

“We should,” Audrey said.

“I was joking,” Winnie said.

“No, it’s a brilliant idea. If we could find them, it’s worth asking if they’d be willing to have lunch to tell us what they did. Colette would totally want to meet with them—potential clients and all that.”

“All right, I’ll ask Jae their names,” Winnie said as she left.

Audrey stuck the case study articles in an inter-office folder along with a copy of the page in Feminist Fight Club about touting other women’s accomplishments and addressed it to Colette. “Here goes missive number two.” It’s a pretty slim chance to persuade her, but this is legitimate research supporting that we should work together. She was enjoying this strategy.

She turned off her laptop, closed her door, and bumped into Malaburn.

“Leaving already?” Malaburn asked.

Her stomach dropped. “Yes.” She had dinner plans with Jake.

“I hate to interrupt your busy social schedule. I stopped by last night, but you weren’t here.”

“No, but I’ve been here since 8 a.m. this morning.”

“I thought you were trying to make partner.”

“I am,” Audrey said, her shoulders tensing.

“I noticed Tim and Colette were in their offices last night.”